The Kilimanjaro Alternative Tourist Map was prepared to encourage you to visit the many interesting places (natural, historical and cultural) around Africa's highest mountain. It promotes tourism activities that will directly benefit local communities. Your visit should contribute to creating local employment and encouraging communities to safeguard the wellbeing of natural forests, wildlife and rivers.

In the Kilimanjaro area, Machame, Mamba and Marangu, and Shimbwe have developed ecotourism activities. Every area has its own characteristics; Machame is well known for its economic activities, Mnambe for a beautiful waterfall and Mamba/Marangu for historical sites.

For decades coffee was the most important cash crop around Mount Kilimanjaro. Farmers received good prices for their crop and many could afford to pay for their children's education. As a result the region produced many educated Tanzanians. Coffee is still grown but low world coffee prices mean that coffee growing is now only economical on a large scale.

Bananas are an important staple food and many trees can be seen all over the mountain. Bananas are often grown together with coffee, maize, beans and other crops. There are many different varieties of banana, and they can be made into a stew, roasted on a charcoal fire, cooked as porridge or made into an alcoholic brew. When you are walking through the many villages on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro you are likely to come across local bars where banana brew is served. This beer is made from fermented ripe bananas and finger millet. Be aware that the brew is not always prepared under the most hygienic conditions and can cause severe stomach upsets to the uninitiated.

Those interested in colonial history might like to visit Moshi Railway Station, which was built during the German colonial period. The oldest Lutheran church in Tanzania, as well as the remains of a colonial market, can be seen at Kidia. More traditional history can be found at Mamba, where there are well preserved caves, which were excavated and used in the past by the local people to hide during tribal conflicts with the surrounding Maasai tribes.

A popular outing for many tourists is a visit to a local "nyama choma", where one chooses prime cuts of meat which are then roasted on a charcoal fire by an expert chef. You can try fine cuts of goat meat (mshikaki), roast bananas and a local sausage called "Mutura". Vegetarians will not miss out, they can try the many delicious fresh fruits the mountain can offer.

Moshi as seen from the air.

The many rivers flowing through the gorges of Africa's highest mountain produce impressive waterfalls. Relatively little water flows from the diminishing ice caps; most of the river water originates from the large natural forest belt. One of the most spectacular water falls is not far from Moshi and can be reached by using public transport, followed by a one hour hike. The town of Moshi is blessed with a fantastic natural forest, Njoro, on its eastern side, where one can admire the highest tree in Africa and watch Colobus monkeys eating wild fruits.

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